How to Keep Thanksgiving Side Dishes Warm

Thanksgiving dinner is one of those meals where everything seems to finish cooking at a different time.

The turkey needs to rest, the potatoes are ready, the stuffing is coming out of the oven, and somehow the carrots have already started getting cold.

If you’ve ever tried to keep a whole Thanksgiving dinner warm while you’re finishing the last few dishes, you know how tricky it can be.

The good news is that you don’t need a commercial kitchen or a dozen ovens to keep your Thanksgiving side dishes warm. A few simple tricks can help you get everything to the table hot and ready to serve.

Here are some of my favorite ways to keep Thanksgiving side dishes warm while you finish preparing the meal.

Use Your Oven to Keep Side Dishes Warm

Your oven is one of the easiest ways to keep Thanksgiving side dishes warm, especially if you have several casseroles that need to be served at the same time.

Once a dish is fully cooked, you can usually keep it warm in a low oven set around 200°F. Cover casseroles loosely with foil to help prevent them from drying out.

This works well for dishes like:

• Classic Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffing
• Family-Favorite Green Bean Casserole
• Classic Candied Yams
• Honey Glazed Carrots

If you’re keeping several dishes warm, make sure you leave a little space between the pans so the heat can circulate.

For food safety, hot foods should be held at 140°F or above. Use a food thermometer to check the temperature rather than relying only on how warm the oven feels.

Avoid leaving food in a low oven for an extended period, since some dishes can dry out.

Keep Mashed Potatoes Warm in a Slow Cooker

Mashed potatoes are one of those Thanksgiving dishes that can be difficult to time perfectly. They tend to cool off quickly, especially if you make them early.

A slow cooker is a great way to keep mashed potatoes warm until dinner.

Prepare your mashed potatoes as usual, then transfer them to a slow cooker set to the warm setting. Stir in a little extra butter, milk, or cream if needed to keep them from getting too thick.

Keep the lid on as much as possible, and stir occasionally.

If you need a little inspiration, try serving your potatoes alongside The Best Turkey Gravy from Drippings.

Use a Slow Cooker for Warm Side Dishes

Slow cookers are helpful for more than mashed potatoes. They’re especially useful when oven space is limited.

You can use a slow cooker to keep certain cooked side dishes warm, including:

• Mashed potatoes
• Sweet potato casserole
• Some vegetable casseroles
• Stuffing, if the recipe is suitable for slow cooker holding

Make sure the dish is fully cooked before transferring it to the slow cooker for holding. The slow cooker should keep food hot, not be used to slowly warm a large batch of cold leftovers.

If you’re using a slow cooker to keep food warm, check the temperature periodically and keep the lid on.

Cover Dishes With Foil

Sometimes the simplest solution is the best one.

If a side dish is finished cooking shortly before dinner, cover it with foil to help hold in the heat. This works especially well for casseroles and roasted vegetables.

You can also place the covered dish inside an insulated carrier or wrap the dish in a clean kitchen towel for a short period while you finish preparing the rest of the meal.

This is a temporary solution, though. Foil and towels help retain heat, but they don’t guarantee that food will stay at a safe temperature.

If the food will be waiting for a while, use an oven or other appliance that can maintain it at 140°F or above.

Keep Gravy Warm on the Stove

Gravy is one of those things that should be served hot. Nobody wants cold gravy poured over their turkey and mashed potatoes.

The easiest way to keep gravy warm is to leave it in a small saucepan over very low heat. Stir it occasionally and add a little broth if it becomes too thick.

If you’re making gravy ahead of time, reheat it until it reaches 165°F, then keep it hot until serving.

My Turkey Gravy Recipe is a great one to have ready for Thanksgiving dinner.

Use Chafing Dishes for a Buffet

If you’re serving Thanksgiving dinner buffet-style, chafing dishes are a great option for keeping food warm while everyone serves themselves.

They use a heat source underneath the serving pan to keep food hot. You can find disposable chafing dish sets for occasional holiday use, or invest in reusable ones if you host often.

Chafing dishes work well for:

• Stuffing
• Green bean casserole
• Mashed potatoes
• Sweet potato casserole
• Other cooked side dishes

Make sure the food is already hot before placing it in the chafing dish, and keep it at 140°F or above.

Plan Your Thanksgiving Cooking Schedule

One of the best ways to keep Thanksgiving side dishes warm is to avoid having everything finish cooking at once.

Make a simple cooking schedule that includes when each dish needs to go into the oven, when it should be finished, and how you plan to keep it warm.

For example, casseroles that can tolerate a little extra holding time may be cooked first, while dishes that are best served fresh can finish closer to dinner.

You can also prepare some recipes ahead of time. My article What to Do the Week Before Thanksgiving walks you through planning your menu, shopping, preparing dishes, and getting your home ready before the holiday.

If you’re still deciding what to serve, take a look at 6 Must-Have Thanksgiving Side Dishes for ideas.

Thanksgiving Side Dishes That Are Easy to Prepare Ahead

Choosing a few dishes that can be prepared ahead of time can make Thanksgiving much easier.

Here are a few recipes to consider adding to your menu:

• Thanksgiving Rice Pilaf with Cranberries and Pecans — a festive side that adds color to your table.
• Honey Glazed Carrots — a simple vegetable side with a sweet glaze.
• Savory Roasted Sweet Potatoes — a flavorful alternative to traditional sweet potato casserole.
• Family-Favorite Green Bean Casserole — a classic Thanksgiving favorite.

For dishes that are best served crisp or freshly roasted, plan to cook them closer to dinner rather than holding them warm for too long.

Make Thanksgiving Dinner Easier With a Checklist

A little planning can make a big difference when you’re preparing a large holiday meal.

I created a printable Thanksgiving Hosting Checklist to help you organize your menu, plan your prep work, and keep track of everything that needs to be done before Thanksgiving dinner.

You can also read What to Do the Week Before Thanksgiving for a simple timeline to help you get ready.

With a little preparation and a plan for keeping your food warm, you can spend less time worrying about the kitchen and more time enjoying Thanksgiving with your family and friends.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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